ONS: 12 April 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on April 12, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan continued.
AMERICAS: Peru deployed 1,500 troops to cordon off an area where alleged Shining Path rebels kidnapped 36 gas pipeline workers.
ASIA: The Philippines withdrew its naval flagship from a standoff with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.
EUROPE: Two Turkish soldiers were killed in a clash with PKK rebels in the south.
MIDDLE EAST: Yemen reported at least eight Al Qaeda linked militants were killed near Lawdar.
TECHNOLOGY: The US Department of Justice sued Apple and five large publishers for allegedly conspiring to inflate e-book prices.

TOP STORY

Activists reported a ceasefire deal brokered by Kofi Annan appeared to be holding, though government forces still have not withdrawn from populated areas.
The opposition national council called for protests to resume.
Turkish PM Erdogan stated his country may seek NATO assistance in the event of further border violations by Syrian forces.
Coverage: AFP, VoA, Al Jazeera, AP-1, AP-2, Reuters

AFRICA

Region: South Sudan accused the north of launching airstrikes on a disputed border region, as Sudan announced it was mobilizing its army. (Reuters, AFP)
DR Congo: President Kabila announced the government would serve an arrest warrant for Army General Ntaganda, who is wanted by the ICC. (Reuters)
Egypt: Finance Minister Saeed said he expected the government to conclude a financing deal with the IMF by 15MAY. (Reuters)
Mali: Dioncounda Traore was sworn in as interim president, and threatened “total war” against Tuareg rebels in the north. (AP)
Zimbabwe: President Mugabe returned to the country amid rumors he had suffered a health crisis. (AP)

AMERICAS

Region: Mexican President Calderon made his first official visit to Cuba for talks. (AP)
Peru: 1,500 troops were deployed to cordon off an area where alleged Shining Path rebels kidnapped 36 gas pipeline workers. (AFP)
Venezuela: Hugo Chavez returned from medical treatment in Cuba, and said he was “doing well.” (AP)
Venezuela: Authorities seized 1.2 tons of cocaine and arrested four in Paraguana peninsula. (EFE)

ASIA

Region: The Philippines withdrew its naval flagship from a standoff with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. (AFP)
Region: Pakistan freed 26 imprisoned Indian fishermen as a “goodwill gesture.” (AFP)
Afghanistan: During a visit to Kabul, Secretary General Rasmussen reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to the planned withdrawal. (AP)
Afghanistan: President Karzai stated he was considering calling for early elections. (AP)
Korea, North: The five-day window for the planned rocket launch opened. (AP)

EUROPE

Russia: Opposition party “A Just Russia” walked out of parliament following a speech by PM Putin in an apparent snub. (BBC)
Russia: Gunmen killed a prosecutor in Russia’s North Caucasus. (AP)
Turkey: Two soldiers were killed in a clash with PKK rebels in the south. (Xinhua)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: Analysts reported internal divisions within Iran’s government were interfering with its unity in the face of upcoming negotiations on its nuclear program. (WSJ)
Israel: Palestine rejected a proposal by Israeli PM Netanyahu to start immediate talks without preconditions. (AP)
Yemen: At least eight Al Qaeda linked militants were killed in clashes with soldiers and government airstrikes near Lawdar. (Reuters)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Digital Media: The US Department of Justice sued Apple and five large publishers for allegedly conspiring to inflate e-book prices. (WSJ)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (13APR)